What a freakin' mess this SAP installation at work has been. All because they ram-rodded it in and didn't test enough. Causing major headaches and overtime as we try to sift through the mess.

We have someone come out and spray our lawn and trees. The came on Monday. DH noticed yesterday that the ornamental bushes are all withered and dying - they leaves look like groddy old spinach that has been left in the back of the refrigerator for 2 months. The worst part is that it's also affected our big, old BEAUTIFUL Japanese Maple tree - my most favorite piece of all the landscaping They are supposed to be sending someone out to look at it today. I'm sure they will tell DH that "oh we are sorry - but it will grow back in". Well the maple shoots it's leaves out once in the spring - they are all withered and it looks like it will stay that way until next year. Every time we get a lawn service - both here and in Chicago this has happened. The other service we had here - the guy was trekking through the back bushes to spray back there and he stepped on, broke and killed 2 bushes. Just plowed through - didn't even say anything. And DH saw the footprints so it's not like his hose broke them.

Now that my car is cleaned I can see all the scratches on the doors from people who knock, bump and slam car doors open. I have never had so many scratches as I have in 2 years down here.

I'm just really disgusted with people. Perhaps I should join Nae in the big sky country where it's us and the deer.

That's my cheery note for today. I'm off to prove to the project team that once again they have given us bad data to work with.

Geez if you can believe it I woke up at my own house this morning....what a good feeling. Running up and down this hill and trying to do my life and be in BF's is challenging for an old woman!!!!!!! I have been doing the recipe for a couple of days.... holding my own so far.... not going to weigh til after I am at the end.... not trying for lots of pounds, trying to get a routine of better choices and balance. Need to remember to take my vitamins.... just a little tired fell asleep after dinner and almost missed my meeting. Oh ladies, I am so excited I get to travel this fall to Minniapolis to the International convention for P.E.O. as a representative from Idaho...... yeah I will get see something new and meet woman from all over the world.

Happy you are welcome any time of the year to join me and my pups. The hills are just greening up and except for the occasional flurries and wind...the sun is getting warmer every day. Once I took a Master Gardener class and some of the mistakes we make are so common.... the stores sell tons of weed and feed for your lawn and that will kill your bushes and trees eventually. So spraying is sometimes better if it is just a spot spray.....were you doing weed spraying on your lawn? So sorry to hear about the damage.
My place is suffering so much with me gone all the time....

Mel glad the eyes are coming around.... is it warmer yet...can't believe the storms you are getting all along the coast..... what are you planning for a craft next for the seniors????

I was waiting to fit into a pair of work pants.... and I wore them the other day...... shock ...... because now they are too big and baggy and I couldn't keep them up.... maybe I will have to shift some things in the closet now that I can fit into stuff I have been saving.... I saw a short piece on the news for the Afro American population to join a cause to just lose 10lbs across america.... trying raise their awareness of heart health and how dangerous our extra weight is to health.... Bravo.....

WEll, a small adventure awaits later today my BF got tickets for a concert in Hamilton about and hour and a half drive for tonight..... nice drive over the mountains a little shopping dinner and show then back home tonight...hope I am not totally worn out for work tomorrow....and yes all the dogs get to go along...they are so happy to just wait in the truck for us.

Hope everyone is well and drinking lots of water....water water.......
Peace,
Nae

Kia Ora everyone one!
I just thought I would pop in and let you know that I am back from Aotearoa.
(sp ) Interpreted this is supposed to be "land of the long white cloud!" but it was far from it.
I had a week of the most gorgeous weather, it was sunny and hot and no wind, the evenings were crisp, just how I like it.
I feel as though my tank is completely full with memories.
Thankfully my parents calmed down and realised they were going to get some quality time with me, I also realised my Mum loves to fuss over me and have me at home, she enjoys being Mum.
I loved seeing my friends and managed to fit quite a few in, I was spoilt with the country side of Okura, North of Auckland which is lovely, Clevedon south of Auckland which is also lovely, and the drive down to Tauranga through the Karangihake Gorge, also lovely.
The little car I had was magic and hug the roads beautifully, it was also so economical. I only filled up once. What a treat it all was.
Now it's back to reality with work today. Only a half day and I have friends to meet for lunch. It will be nice after my rich time, I was saying to a friend of mine that it is difficult to replace those very special friends we have had since we were young and our children have grown up together, You move away and things do change.
I hope you all had a wonderful Easter.

Back to business. i will come and comment later and if the work computer lets me I will do it there. I think i need to go and get my eyes tested as I keep wanting to adjust the focus button here on the computer ( and I know its me) a little scary.

Have wonderful days

Suz

Evening Darlings!

So I too have come back to the WW fold and re-joined the on-line version. I wasn’t sure at first, but I have to say that the new points tracker is great. My biggest complaint was always that so much of what I eat wasn’t in the old version – but this new one has a really good variety and is easy to use. I’ve managed 4 days and it seems to be working fine… we’ll see if the scale mirrors my optimism next Monday. If nothing else I am at least making an effort to eat more fruits and veggies… so that is a bonus in itself. I even made the chicken cacciatore recipe tonight and served it over whole wheat pasta and it was delicious. I will have to try some of their other recipes.

Oh and I didn't go to the gym this morning but I did do a pilates tape before taking a shower. There might be hope for me after all.

I am very happy this week is almost over on the Most Boring Project on the Planet. Funny, I was having a conversation with the other writer on our team and she was saying how this job was “easy money” and she couldn’t see why I would want to leave. Umm, could it be that a person’s work life shouldn’t just be about $$$? Money is good, but boredom is just too hard to deal with. I’m not a writer in this job, I am just a glorified librarian (no offense to any librarians). Counting the days. Enough whinging.

Suzi~ Glad to hear your trip was a success. I think it also becomes harder as we get older to form those kinds of no preconception friendships. I have old friends who are actually pretty annoying sometimes but I love them all the same. And history can carry friendships through some hard times.

Nae~ Wow congratulations on seeing your hard work pay off in the wardrobe department. Must be all that running up and down those hills!

Happy~ We can hear the annoyance in your post. Sorry work is being uncooperative. It must be some sort of business rule that no one ever tests enough… or they don’t ask the right questions when figuring out what to test. Your poor trees! I hope at least the Japanese Maple makes a recovery. They are so pretty. Yeah, some days I don’t really like people all that much either.

Mel~ Yeah, I hear there is a life off the computer. You take it easy, NJ sister and feel better soon. Hmm, I wonder if you could get one of those glare filters for your screen and if that would help? Of course, I’m not even sure they make them any more. It is a good day for a couch and old movies.

Shad~ It’s good that you have some time to get a few done. If you need any help with the accommodations here in the Great White North let me know and I’ll happily do some sleuthing for you.

Ceejay~ have a great trip!

Carla~ You are doing so well. You aren’t going to start letting a little wine and bread become a lot of bread and wine, are you?? Naw, of course not.

Ok, I have to go and do some other constructive things… or watch TV. Or something. Later chickies!! Waves to all the lurkers and missing comrades.

Happy Friday ladies,

Hooray for Fridays!

It's cool and gloomy today - supposed to get some storms - some might be bad. Good day to cuddle up in bed - wish I could. But

They tell us that the damage we see on the trees is frost damage. A few weeks ago it got unseasonally hot here. I think it popped everything into early blooming. Even DH wanted to plant flowers but I said no, hold off, it's too early. Then sure enough we got a shot of really cold weather, below freezing overnight a few times. The guy who came was very nice - he pointed out a few neighbors bushes which we could see the same thing and we know that they don't have their lawns sprayed. I just hope things will be all right. Especially the Japanese maple tree. Sorry to blame the tree guys but anyone who lives down here will tell you that service is the pitts.

Madcat - glad you like the new online WW. They do have a lot of good tools and all the recipes I've tried so far I've liked. Some I've even been pleasantly surprised about. And you can add your own foods as favorites too. Even put together favorite meals if you'd the kind who eats the same breakfasts every morning. I think it's easier than using Fit Day. I know you'll do well getting back in the groove. Someone once said that there are 3 important components to successful dieting - food, exercise and tracking. Some of us are good at 2 things, some of us are really good at 1 thing but few of us are good at all three. I am finding that to be very true both in practice and in results. Sounds like you have the exercise down as a regular routine. Hopefully WW will take care of the other stuff!

Welcome back Suzi. Yes it is a little melancholy when friends drift apart. Somethings it's because that which held us together changed. Other times, as in your case, distance is a big factor. I always feel like I should make a better effort at keeping in touch with people.

Congrats on the weight loss Nae. What a nice reward to have some "new" clothes. Enjoy your concert.

Missed you Ceejay but safe trip and enjoy your visit in Dallas. Say hi to Painter.

Speaking of Painter - so what happened to the chicks here? Do we have to send out the search dogs? Shad, Mel, Meadow, Holly? I fear we have lost Tig.

Got an early custom made birthday card from Teel that was lovely - but no note on how she was doing - just a warm wish.

Guess I'd better get on with the day. Stay warm and happy.

HAPPY~ SORRY TO HEAR AVOUT THE TREES ETC. A LOT OF STRUFF UP HERE LOOKS BAD AND WE WERE WONDERING IF THEY WILL ACTUALLY BLOOM RIGHT THIS YEAR. THE POOR FOLIAGE IS SOOOO CONFUSED. 70ONE DAY AND 20 THE NEXT. HOPE YOUR MAPLE AND SAP BOTH DON'T GIVE YOU A HEADACHE!!!! I KNOW WHAT YOU MEAN ABOUT PEOPLE!! SOMETIMES THEY ARE A BIT TOO MUCH

CARLA~ I FORGOT TO SAY SOMETHING ABOUT THE RED DINGO.....THEY MAKE ME LAUGH. I SAW THEM AGAIN THIS MORNING AND CRACKED UP. NOT SURE WHY I FIND THEM SO FUNNY BUT THEY MAKE ME LAUGH.

NAE~ GOOD LUCK WITH THE PLAN. HOPE IT WORKS WELL FOR YOU. HAVE A GREAT TIMEON YOUR DATE. SOUNDS LIKE WONDERFULLY FULLTIME!!! IT'S THE EYES THAT AREN'T GOOD AND THE SKIN THAT IS CLEARING UP FOR ME BUT I KNEW WHAT YOU MEANT. CONGRATS ON THE TRIPMTO IDAHO. YOU WILL HAVE TO TELL ALL WHEN YOU COME BACK THEN.

MADCAT~ YOUR FISHY CAT STILL MAKING ME LAUGH TOO. I TRIED A FILTER FROM A FRIEND BUT I COULDN'T SEE WELL WITH IT. THE DR THOUGHT IT WAS THE CATARACTS. WHO KNOWS. THE LESS TIME SPENT HERE AT THIS DESK THE BETTER HOW ARE THE FEET? DID THE REST HELP? HOPE SO.

HOME SUZI!!! GOOD TO SEE YOU HERE. I AM VERY HAPPY FOR YOU ABOUT THE WHOLE TRIP AND THE PARENTS. GUESS MUM MISSES YOU SO MUCH SHE JUST WANTED WHAT SHE WANTED...LOL JUST LIKE A MUM!!
YOU GOT HOME IN TIME FOR A WEEKEND!!!

THIS MORNING I MISSED THE BUS. I THINK I FELL BACK TO SLEEP ON PURPOSE. I COULD HEAR THE WIND AND SEE THE GLOOM AND SAID SCREW IT AND PULLED THE COVERS TIGHT ABOUT ME. I ONLY NEEDED MILK REALLY SO THERE WAS NO GREAT NEED TO GO OUT AND FACE THAT WIND. JEN AND I KEPT EACH OTHER COMPANY YESTERDAY. SHE IS TIRED. HER WINDOW PAINTING WAS OUTSTANDING. I REALLY MUST GET PICS OF THIS AND PUT THEM ON WEBSHOTS. WISH YOU COULD SEE THE DETAIL. LOTS OF VINES, TINY LEAVES AND THE TINIEST OF FLOWERS ON THEM. REALLY SWEET AND THE SENIORS ARE JUST TOO HAPPY. I BETTER JUMP IN THE SHOWER BEFORE I GET EVICTED!!!
HAPPY FRIDAY/SATURDAY
ENJOY THE WEEKEND!

Happy--Some of the tree' s were withered from the extremely cold temperatures in our area too. It didn't seem to bother the giant oak tree's. Even the dandilions were laying on the ground.

Madcat- The ww on line was good but the thing I didn't like about ww was figuring out the points.

Suzi- Glad your trip was filled with good memories. And that you are back home.

I'm in Dallas. We're supposed to go out for lunch if the rain clouds stay away. My flight was good even thought it was a little bumpy at times.

My leg is less swollen today so I think it's on the road to recovery. The torn cartiledge in my foot though is still far from being well. It's still swollen in the ankle area.

My sister has a huge 22 inch flat screen monitor and I'm about to fall in love with this.

Hello to Carla, Mel, and Nae.

Just a tidbit--It's Friday the 13th so beware.

Helloooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!

CEEJAY~ GOOD TO SEE YOU LANDED AND ARE IN THE VACATION MODE! HOPE THE LEG CONTINUES TO RECOVER AND YOU HAVE FUN!!!

GOOD MORNING CHICKS OF THE WORLD!!
GOTTA LOVE THE WEEKENDS. ONE BOOKKEEPER IS ARRIVING THIS MORNING AND MAYBE TOMORROW. THEY LOVE THE WEEKENDS AND HOLIDAYS. I LET THEM IN AND NO ONE IS HERE TO BOTHER THEM. NOT EVEN THE PHONES. JUST HAVE TO BLOW DRY MY HAIR AND I AM GOOD TO GO. SUN IS SHINING TODAY AND I BETTER KEEP LOOKING AT IT BECAUSE A TERRIBLE SNOW, RAIN, SLEET, WIND STORM IS ARRIVING STARTING TOMORROW FOR A FEW DAYS. TEMPS BACK DOWN IN THE 30'S. WHAT THE HECK IS WITH THE WEATHER??? I WANT TO GO TO WALMARTS ON MONDAY. HOPE I CAN GET IN THE BUS WITHOUT GETTING SOAKED OR I CAN'T GO. WE'LL SEE.
NO PLANS FOR THIS WEEKEND. THE KIDS AND I ARE JUST GOING TO "WING IT". RICHIE IS TIRED FROM A LOT OF WORK. THANK GOD FOR THE BUSY SEASON. I AM ALREADY IMPLEMENTING A PLAN THAT NEITHER OF THEM KNOW ABOUT. PUTTING SOME OF THEIR MONEY ALONG WITH MINE FOR THE END OF THE YEAR WHEN THINGS ARE TOUGH. THIS TIME WE WILL BE READY. NEXT YEAR THEY CAN DO IT THEMSELVES. THEY ARE IN THE MIDDLE OF A WAR BETWEEN BOTH FAMILIES ABOUT THE CHILDREN AND PROMISED VISITATION RIGHTS. SIGH ALWAYS SOMETHING. ANYWAY.... I AM NOT FOCUSING ON THAT. MY GOALS NOW ARE PERSONAL. THE FIRST BEING TO FILL THAT CAN WITH MONEY, MAKE LARGE PAYMENTS TO THE CREDIT CARD, USE CASH, AND TAKE CARE OF MEL. BEEN DOING THIS QUIETLY SINCE DECEMBER AND I FEEL I'VE MADE PROGRESS. I'VE SENT ALMOST $1,000 TO THE 2 CARDS AND ONLY OWE ABOUT $500 ON ONE OF THEM. PROGRESS. WON'T TELL YOU WHAT I OWE ON THE OTHER!!!
WELL I BETTER GET THE DAY STARTED AND GET ROLLING
HAPPY SATURDAY/SUNDAY AND STAY WELL MY LITTLE CHICKS!!

Happy Saturday ladies. I am on a clean and purge mission this weekend.

Will catch up with you tonight.

Everything is quite this week-end.

We had tornado warnings last night. There was some large hail near the DFW airport.

Not much else is going on. We went shopping this morning bourth a couple of pair of jeans. I might add they are a size smaller.

Have a good week end.

Yeah Ceejay a smaller size....that makes us all smile......
cleaning is my task today also and watering a bit outside.... hope everyone is welll.............
Nae

YOu all are busy cleaning. !!!!
hello everyone. I love weekends like this, I still feel on holiday!
We have had a lovelyr relaxing time. I have one boy jamming in my ear with his mucis but I do love it when I realise that it is HIM playing, very cool.
One DH is sleeping nicely, he needs it.
I am just chilling and two children have been discovering stuff they have always had. I love that. The kids are on vacation and they are mocing stuff and changing around stuff they have to make things more intersting.
I don't know why but lately since my little trip to NZ I have been wanting to simplify things. Sometimes it is so easy to want or get the next thing when really you are already content and it is just a matter of enjoying, even with clothing, dare I say.
I also discovered that a few extra pounds have crept their way back since my vacation. I am working hard to get them off. Gym this morning, cardio, but I am so off weights. I need to get back into these too. DH is looking so good with a lovely new shape from working hard.
Ok laundry is calling with the little washing load saying I'm finished and another to be put on.
Hi to everyone and back to comment tomorrow.

Love love love
Suzi

<---- WISH IT REALLY WAS RAINING MARTINIS!
WELL WITH EVERYONE CLEANING, I BETTER FIND SOMETHING TO DO AS WELL AND NOT JUST SIT ON MY BUTT LOTS OF RAIN AND GLOOM OUTSIDE SO MAYBE I SHOULD PUT ON SOME LIGHTS AND WAKE UP NOTHING NEW HERE. JUST A WEEKEND WITH THE KIDS. JEN DID SOME SHOPPING INCASE THE WEATHER GETS OUT OF HAND BUT IT LOOKS LIKE THE WORST OF IT IS A BIT NORTH OF US. WE'RE CONSIDERING BUILDING AN ARK AS SOON AS WE FIGURE OUT WHAT A CUBIT IS. I STILL REMEMBER AND GIGGLE EVERYTIME I THINK OF BILL COSBY DOING A SOLO SKIT ON HIM TALKING TO GOD.....WHITE WIG, BEARD AND ALL. I AM OFF TO BREAKFAST!
HAPPY SUNDAY/MONDAY

CEEJAY~ LOVE THAT THE PANTS ARE SMALLER!! WAY TO GO GIRL!!

HAPPY AND NAE~ HAPPY CLEANING AND I WILL BE JOINING YOU AS SOON AS I HVE A BITE TO EAT!

SUZI~ I HAVE BEEN SIMPLIFYING ALSO AND FOUND I USED THE CHARGE CARD AND MATERIAL THINGS TO FILL THE GAPS IN MY LIFE. THEY ARE LESSENING!!! I BOUGHT A YEAR OF THE MAGAZINE REAL SIMPLE AND IT GOT ME ON THE "LESS IS MORE" FRAME OF MIND.

Yeah Ceejay!!

I am cleaning too. Filing, dusting etc.
The sun is actually shining here and the temps are above zero. Shocking yet pleasant. What a cold dark week.

Love you all!!!!